Blackburn heavyweight Yasar Iqbal gets shot at national title (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn heavyweight Yasar Iqbal gets shot at national title

4:12pm Tuesday 22nd November 2011 in Boxing By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

YASAR Iqbal is preparing for the biggest night of his budding boxer career when he fights for a national title on Friday.

The 17-year-old heavyweight will challenge defending champion Charlie Eastwood in the final of the Clubs for Young People UK Boxing Championship at Elland Road, Leeds.

While the Blackburn College student will be the underdog against the five times national champion, dad John Iqbal – who also helps coach Yasar – is confident his son can upset the odds.

“We wouldn’t be going if we diddn’t think we could win,” said Iqbal senior.

“Yasar is raring to go and he really fancies his chances.

“He is improving all the time and he is in peak conditiion.

“We’ll be working on some fine tuning this week ahead of the trip to Leeds.”

The former Pleckgate High School pupil has been boxing since he was 10-years-old, first at Bury ABC – where he trained alongside Amir Khan – but now at Northside in Manch-ester working under Joe Pennington.

He is a five-times North West winner and has reached the national semi finals three times – most recently in 2010.

“He has been so close so many times but now he has reached the final,” added Mr Iqbal who is a Major Panel judge.

Yasar booked his place in the final after stopping Matthew Archer of Clearys ABC in the third round of their semi final contest.

Now Mr Iqbal is hoping victory for his son will help him achieve his aim of fighting for his country.

He said: “Winning the national title would give Yasar a wonderful chance to fight for his country and everyone wants to represent their country.”